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  • [22nd November 2025] The Hindu Op-ED: The new direction for India should be toward Asia

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2024] The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China’s supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China’s political and economic dominance. Explain this statement with examples.

    Linkage: This question is relevant as the article highlights India’s discomfort with Western strategic pressure and the U.S. attempt to position India as a counter-weight to China. It directly links to the theme that India must prioritise Asian partnerships based on autonomy rather than being shaped by Western geopolitical expectations.

    Mentor’s Comment

    India’s foreign policy stands at its most decisive turning point in decades. Recent global summits have marked a visible discomfort in Western partnerships and a stronger inclination toward Asian platforms such as SCO, BRICS, and ASEAN. If sustained, this pivot could influence not only India’s security and economy but also the balance of power across the 21st century.

    Introduction

    India is emerging as a global economic heavyweight. At a time when geopolitical polarization between the West and China is intensifying, India is being pushed to define where its long-term interests lie. The article argues that India’s most strategic future lies within the Asian ecosystem, economically, technologically and militarily, rather than within Western-led institutional frameworks.

    Why in the News

    Diplomatic signals at recent top summits have shown a clear turning point: India expressed discomfort with the U.S. stance on Russia-China while showing greater comfort engaging Asian multilateral platforms. This reverses decades of Western strategic centrality and marks the first open debate about whether India should integrate with a U.S.-dominated global order or anchor its future with Asia’s rapidly rising power architecture.

    Is India undergoing a decisive Asian pivot?

    1. Growing tilt toward Asian blocs: India’s policy space is increasingly shaped by negotiations with China and Russia rather than the U.S. and Europe.
    2. Limits of multialignment exposed: External pressure from the U.S. forces India to re-evaluate whether neutrality remains viable.

    Why is Western strategic centrality fading for India?

    1. Summit unease and leadership signalling: Interactions at the G-7 and Busan Summit highlighted visible discomfort between Indian and U.S. leadership.
    2. U.S. pressure on trade and Russia policy: Washington expects India to align its tariff playbook and Russian relations to Western priorities.
    3. Security divergence: U.S.-driven defence expectations conflict with India’s commitment to independent threat assessment.

    Why does Asia offer a stronger pathway for India’s growth?

    1. Demographic and economic centre of gravity: Two-thirds of global population and global wealth lie in Asia, creating large consumer and innovation markets.
    2. Rise of continental and maritime platforms: BRICS, SCO and ASEAN integrate security with economic restructuring outside WTO constraints.
    3. Technological and industrial complementarities: Asian RCEP supply chains, semiconductor hubs, manufacturing and defence technologies align with India’s development goals.

    What hard decisions are demanded from India now?

    1. Strategic autonomy based on Indian capacity: Policy alignment must reflect national strengths rather than expectations of great powers.
    2. Growth-labour dynamic within Asia: Asia offers the highest growth rate and workforce depth but demands competitiveness and industrial performance from India.
    3. Reducing dependency on imported defence systems: Innovation in AI, cyber capability, missiles and marine strength becomes essential.

    How does the global AI and military innovation race shape India’s choices?

    1. Shift from land-based warfare to technology-centric warfare: Cyber, naval and AI superiority determine 21st-century power projection.
    2. Asian innovation ecosystem more open than Western models: Western blocs impose regulatory constraints while Asia prioritises co-development and technology transfer.
    3. Defence industrialisation as a growth multiplier: AI-driven defence manufacturing advances both national security and economic output.

    Conclusion

    India is not compelled to choose between the West and Asia, but strategic realities suggest that Asia provides the most fertile ground for technological development, economic partnerships and military advancement. A calibrated pivot anchored in strategic autonomy and innovation may be the key to India becoming a rule-shaping, rather than rule-following, global power by mid-century.

  • Overcoming resistance: On the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2025–29)

    Introduction

    The Government has introduced the second iteration of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) in response to escalating resistance to antibiotics across sectors. While version 1 generated marginal gains and placed AMR on India’s health agenda, its sluggish implementation led to persistent misuse of antibiotics, weak state collaboration, and rising resistance. New evidence, including the 2023 WHO Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance report, confirms the urgency for renewed stewardship and a strengthened One Health strategy.

    Why in the News?

     India has launched Version 2 of the National Action Plan on AMR amid alarming data that in 2023, one in three bacterial infections in India showed resistance to commonly used antibiotics, against one in six globally. The spike comes despite NAP-AMR (2017–21), revealing that implementation, not intent, is the major roadblock. The new plan is a crucial attempt to arrest a humongous health, veterinary and environmental crisis before last-line antibiotics become fully ineffective.

    Why did Version 1 of NAP-AMR fall short?

    1. Sluggish implementation: Raised the profile of AMR nationally but failed to translate into coordinated ground-level action.
    2. Weak state participation: Only a few states formulated policies; Kerala alone implemented effectively, registering a slight drop in AMR levels.
    3. Narrow ecosystem focus: Neglect of veterinary, environment, agriculture and aquaculture vectors.
    4. Enforcement gaps: Despite a ban on Colistin as a growth promoter in the husbandry sector, misuse continued in varying degrees.

    How serious is AMR in India today?

    1. High disease burden: High infectious disease load increases antibiotic exposure and accelerates resistance.
    2. Overuse and misuse: Indiscriminate use in healthcare and self-medication remain widespread.
    3. Critical pathogens advancing: E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae show high resistance to critical antibiotics, rendering last-line drugs ineffective.

    Why has AMR become a multi-sectoral challenge?

    1. Agriculture & husbandry: Growth promoters and preventive antibiotic usage fuel microbial resistance.
    2. Veterinary medicine: Improper prescription and uncontrolled access to antibiotics.
    3. Soil & water contamination: Antibiotic residues affect ecosystems and re-enter human food chains.
    4. Aquaculture & food processing: Residues facilitate community-level resistance.

    Why is One Health no longer optional?

    1. Integrates human, animal and environmental health to handle widespread resistance emerging across the food chain and biosphere.
    2. Breaks inter-sectoral silos to ensure synchronised surveillance and regulation.
    3. Guides community-level resistance mitigation, not just tertiary hospitals.

    What must Version 2 achieve to succeed?

    1. Strong antibiotics stewardship programmes across community and hospital settings.
    2. Reliable nationwide surveillance network beyond pandemic-led laboratory expansion.
    3. State partnership and compliance mechanisms rather than voluntary policy uptake.
    4. Accountability measures for misuse in human healthcare, veterinary practice and agriculture.

    Conclusion

    India stands at a critical point where policy intent must translate into enforceable implementation. The success of NAP-AMR (Version 2) depends on strong stewardship, inter-state coordination, and an uncompromising One Health approach. Without systemic commitment, antibiotic resistance risks becoming the defining public health disaster of the decade.

    Value Addition

    What is AMR? 

    • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) refers to a biological phenomenon in which microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the action of antimicrobial drugs. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist, and the risk of spread, severe illness, and mortality increases.

    India AMR data cue:

    • WHO Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report (2023): 1 in 3 bacterial infections in India resistant to commonly used antibiotics, compared to 1 in 6 globally.

    Kerala as a Model State 

    • Kerala is often cited as the only state that implemented its state-level action plan on AMR effectively enough to show measurable impact.
    • Key success factors:
      • Strong state-led antibiotic stewardship programme
      • Mandatory prescription audits and regulation of over-the-counter sales
      • Hospital-level AMR surveillance linked to community-level action
      • Training of medical and veterinary practitioners
      • Public awareness + behavioural campaigns

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2014] Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved.

    Linkage: This question is directly relevant as India faces one of the world’s highest AMR burdens driven by misuse and over-the-counter sale of antibiotics. It links to National Action Plan on AMR (Version 2), antibiotic stewardship, surveillance gaps, and public health governance.

  • How India’s agri exports posted impressive growth

    Introduction

    Agriculture continues to be a critical pillar of India’s external trade. Despite restrictions on cereals in recent years, India is witnessing robust export performance driven by meat, rice, spices, fruits-vegetables, tobacco, and marine products. Import trends indicate rising edible oil dependence and inflation moderation.

    Why in the News?

    India’s agricultural exports have surged faster than overall merchandise exports, reaching $25.9 billion in April-September 2024, a 25.8% jump over the previous year, compared to a marginal 0.1% rise in total exports. This turnaround comes after a period of contraction due to export curbs (2022-23) on key items like wheat and non-basmati rice. The renewed momentum signals policy success, global demand recovery, and diversification beyond the US market.

    What is driving the recent surge in agri exports?

    1. Policy relaxation: Lifting of post-Ukraine export curbs on wheat, rice, sugar, etc., improved outbound shipments.
    2. Market diversification: Growth in demand from Latin America, Africa, Middle-East reduced dependency on the US.
    3. Production rebound: Normal monsoon boosted availability of sugar, spices, seafood, fruit-veg.
    4. High-value product focus: Marine goods ($4.8 bn), non-basmati rice ($2.85 bn), and cotton ($1.6 bn) led performance.

    Which products are leading the export spike?

    1. Marine products: Largest export category at $4.8 bn Apr-Sep 2024.
    2. Rice (Non-basmati): Strong recovery despite earlier restrictions ( $2.85 bn ).
    3. Buffalo meat & poultry: $2.25 bn & $0.414 bn exports supported by West Asia.
    4. Fresh fruits & vegetables: Jump to $1.49 bn due to tomato, onion shipments.
    5. Sugar & tobacco: Robust global prices drove exports above $0.9 bn and $0.82 bn respectively.

    How have imports behaved during the same period?

    1. Edible oils dominate: $7.3 bn, showing structural import dependence.
    2. Cashew, pulses, fresh fruits: Rising imports due to domestic shortfalls.
    3. Wheat trade flip: Exports rose post-2022 restrictions but imports revived due to domestic price pressures.
    4. India remains a net agri-exporter, but oil imports remain a vulnerability.

    What are the key factors shaping fluctuations in exports?

    1. Geopolitics & tariffs:
      1. US-China trade tensions: Opened new windows for India.
      2. Trump-era duties impacted Indian produce.
      3. Russia war disrupted sunflower oil & grain flows.
    2. Commodity price volatility: FAO Index declined and this led to lower export values for wheat, sugar.
    3. Logistics: Container shortages & high freight (2022-23) stabilised by 2024.

    What are the major challenges ahead?

    1. Export restrictions continue on items like wheat, some rice variants.
    2. Quality & traceability issues: Growing scrutiny by EU/Australia.
    3. Climate shocks impacting horticulture and cash crops.
    4. Overdependence on 2-3 markets for meat, marine products.

    Conclusion

    India’s recent agricultural export growth reflects policy easing, supply recovery, and expanding market access. However, sustaining competitiveness demands edible oil self-reliance, quality upgrades, logistics reforms, and stable export policies. Balanced agri-trade will support farmer income and strengthen India’s role in global food value chains.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2022] What are the main bottlenecks in the upstream and downstream process of marketing of agricultural products in India?

  • 🔴[UPSC Webinar for 2026] By Kanishka Arora, UPSC CSE 2024 Ranker | Get a Ranker’s Unseen System for UPSC 2026 | Join today at 7PM

    🔴[UPSC Webinar for 2026] By Kanishka Arora, UPSC CSE 2024 Ranker | Get a Ranker’s Unseen System for UPSC 2026 | Join today at 7PM

    Register Now!

    Register for the session

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    Read about Webinar

    I remember how lost I felt during the long grind, too many sources, scattered notes, and no system to turn study hours into marks. What finally changed everything for me was a simple, repeatable system that most rankers use quietly. In this live session I will share that entire system, the routines, the note architecture, and the test feedback loop I used to convert effort into rank.

    Kanishka Arora, UPSC CSE 2024 Ranker

    What I will cover (practical, no fluff):

    • The ranker mindset, the small daily habits that compound into big score gains.
    • The unseen system, a weekly routine that balances reading, notes, answer writing and revision without burning out.
    • Note architecture that helps you write better answers, how to make one pagers that serve Prelims recall and Mains depth.
    • A tight test feedback loop, how many mocks to take, what metrics to measure, and how to fix mistakes so marks actually improve.
    • Current affairs the ranker way, how to filter and link 3–4 stories per week to use across GS papers and Essay.
    • Concrete templates and examples from my prep, a sample one pager, a corrected mock answer, and a 7-day routine you can start tomorrow.


    Why attend this session:

    • Stop collecting material randomly and start using a system that produces marks.
    • Get a compact routine that works for working aspirants and college students alike.
    • Walk away with concrete templates for notes, mocks and answer checking you can implement immediately.
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    See you in masterclass.

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    It will be a 45 minute session, post which we will open up the floor for all kinds of queries which a beginner must have. No questions are taboo and Kanishka Ma’am is known to be patiently solving all your doubts.

    Join us for a Zoom session on 22th Nov at 7 PM. This session is a must attend for you If you are attempting UPSC for the first time or have attempted earlier and now preparing for 2026/2027, then it is going to be a valuable session for you too.

    See you in the session”

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    In this Civilsdaily masterclass, you will get:

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    By the end, you’ll have razor-sharp clarity and a clear path to crack UPSC with confidence and near-perfect certainty. 

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  • The story behind Himachal Pradesh’s traditional Raulane Festival

    Why In The News?

    Bright, colourful, and captivating photos of the Raulane festival from Himachal Pradesh have recently gone viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion about the festival’s unique rituals and the rich cultural heritage of this centuries-old tradition.

    About Raulane Festival:

    • Location & Timing: The Raulane festival is celebrated in Kalpa, located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, during winter or early spring.
    • Ancient Origins: The festival is believed to be around 5,000 years old, making it one of the region’s oldest surviving traditions.
    • Celestial Beings (Saunis): This ancient festival honours celestial fairies called Saunis, described as radiant and gentle beings.
    • Belief & Protection: Locals believe that the Saunis protect villagers during harsh winters by offering warmth, guidance, and spiritual support.
    • Symbolic Marriage Ritual: During the festival, two men symbolically “marry” and act as vessels for the Saunis, representing the divine couple – the Raula (groom) and the Raulane (bride).
    • Traditional Attire: The chosen men are dressed in heavy woollen robes, adorned with ornaments and distinctive face masks.
    • Ritual Dance: They perform a slow, meditative dance at the Nagin Narayan Temple, where the entire community participates and celebrates.
    • Cultural Significance: The Raulane festival helps preserve ancient Himalayan culture and traditions, bringing villagers together to honour their divine protectors.
    [UPSC 2018] Consider the following pairs:

    Tradition State
    1. Chapchar Kut festival — Mizoram
    2. Khongjom Parba ballad — Manipur
    3. Thong-To dance — Sikkim

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

    Options:

    (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2* (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3

     

  • CPCB to monitor Yamuna with Delhi and Haryana

    Why In The News?

    Drain water overflow is contaminating the Yamuna, prompting the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to inform the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) will jointly conduct quarterly monitoring to track pollution and coordinate corrective action.

    1) About National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG):

    • Legal Status: The NMCG is a registered society under the Ministry of Jal Shakti to prevent, control, and abate pollution in the Ganga River and ensure adequate ecological flow.
    • Origin: It functioned as the implementation arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 until the NGRBA was replaced by the National Ganga Council in 2016.
    • Objectives:
      • Ensure pollution abatement and rejuvenation of the Ganga through a river basin approach.
      • Maintain minimum ecological flows for water quality and sustainable development.
    • Structure:
      • Has a two-tier structure: a Governing Council and an Executive Committee, both headed by the Director General (DG).
      • The Executive Committee can approve projects up to ₹1000 crores.
      • State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs) act as implementing arms at the state level.
      • The DG is an Additional Secretary in the Government of India.

    2) About National Green Tribunal (NGT):

    • Purpose: The NGT ensures efficient and expert resolution of environmental disputes and aims to resolve cases within six months.
    • Independence: Operates based on principles of natural justice, not the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, enabling faster decisions.
    • Jurisdiction: Began functioning in 2011 with its principal bench in New Delhi and regional benches in Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai. It follows a circuit procedure for accessibility.
    • Composition:
      • Chairperson: Retired Supreme Court Judge or Chief Justice of a High Court, appointed by the Central Government.
      • Judicial Members: 10-20 judges from the Supreme Court or High Courts.
      • Expert Members: 10-20 experts with advanced degrees in Science/Engineering/Technology and environmental experience.
    • Powers & Jurisdiction:
      • Handles civil cases under major environmental laws such as the Water Act 1974, Air Act 1981, Environment Protection Act 1986, Forest Conservation Act 1980, Biological Diversity Act 2002, and Public Liability Insurance Act 1991.
      • Can impose penalties, act as a Civil Court, and follow the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for certain procedures.
      • Has suo motu powers to take up environmental issues on its own.
      • Can award compensation, order remediation, and ensure time-bound disposal of cases.

    3) About Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):

    • Establishment: The CPCB is a statutory organisation created under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and later empowered under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
    • Role: Acts as a technical arm of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for enforcing the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
    • Functions:
      • Promote cleanliness of streams and wells and control water pollution.
      • Improve air quality and abate air pollution nationwide.
      • Advise the Central Government on pollution control and coordinate with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).
      • Offer guidance, technical support, and help resolve conflicts among SPCBs.
    • Delegated Powers: CPCB delegates its authority under the Water Act, Water Cess Act (1977), and Air Act to regional administrations in Union Territories.
    • Standards & Guidelines:
      • Develops standards for ambient air quality, water quality, and industrial emissions.
      • Prepares manuals, codes, and guidelines for sewage treatment, effluent disposal, and pollution-control devices.
      • Issues Minimal National Standards (MINAS) for various industries regarding effluents, emissions, noise, and waste.
    [UPSC 2016] Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)?,

    1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.,

    2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.,

    3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.,

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only* (b) 2 and 3 only, (c) 1 and 3 only, (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Pharmacogenomics: reading genes to tailor prescriptions for individuals

    Why In The News?

    Pharmacogenomics is transforming healthcare by showing how genetic differences affect individual drug responses. This breakthrough emerging technology is replacing traditional “start low, go slow” trial-and-error prescribing with personalised, precision-based treatment that improves effectiveness and reduces harmful reactions.

    1) What is Pharmacogenomics?

    • Definition & Purpose: Studies how genetic variations affect drug response, determining whether a drug will be effective, ineffective, or harmful.
    • Role of Enzymes: Differences in drug-metabolising enzymes, especially the CYP450 family, impact the metabolism of ~75% of common drugs.
    • Metaboliser Phenotypes:
      • Poor Metaboliser: Low enzyme activity → toxic drug buildup at standard doses.
      • Ultrarapid Metaboliser: High enzyme activity → reduced therapeutic benefit.
    • Widespread Variants: About 90% of people carry at least one actionable pharmacogenetic variant.
    • Clinical Impact: Genetic factors significantly contribute to adverse drug reactions (ADRs), a major cause of hospitalisation and death in developed nations.

    2) Understanding the Problem in Traditional Prescribing:

    • Traditional Approach – “Start Low, Go Slow”: Reflects the challenge that the same drug and dose can heal one patient but harm another.
    • Population-Based Prescribing: For decades, medications were prescribed based on population averages, leading to trial-and-error treatment.
    • Shift Toward Precision: Pharmacogenomics is transforming this approach by showing how genes influence drug response, moving from guesswork to precision.

    3) Real-World Applications:

    • Warfarin Dosing:
      • Variants in CYP2C9 and VKORC1 explain ~50% of dose variation.
      • Genetic-guided dosing reduces bleeding risk and allows faster achievement of therapeutic levels.
    • Clopidogrel Activation:
      • Requires CYP2C19 for activation.
      • CYP2C19*2 variants (25–30%) → poor activation → higher risk of stent thrombosis.
      • CPIC 2022 guidelines recommend alternatives for poor metabolisers.
    • Psychiatry:
      • Many antidepressants/antipsychotics rely on CYP2D6 and CYP2C19.
      • Testing reduces side effects, improves symptom control, and lowers costs.
    • Oncology: Rapid progress in using genetic markers to personalise cancer treatment.

    4) Economic Considerations:

    • Cost Reduction: Genetic test prices have dropped from thousands to $200-500 for large panels.
    • Cost–Effectiveness:
      • Testing prevents adverse events and improves outcomes, proving cost-effective, especially in chronic diseases.
    • Evaluation Framework: Value depends on factors such as severity of side-effects, frequency of variants, availability of alternative drugs, and variability in clinical settings.
    • Preventive Value: Avoiding even one serious ADR can offset the cost of testing many patients.

    5) Implementation Challenges:

    • Provider Knowledge Gaps: Most clinicians lack training in pharmacogenomics, making interpretation difficult.
    • Infrastructure Limitations: Electronic health records often lack tools to integrate genetic data into prescribing workflows.
    • Reimbursement Issues: Insurance coverage remains inconsistent, creating hesitation.
    • Regulatory Complexity:
      • Over 100 FDA drug labels include pharmacogenomic information.
      • Some provide actionable guidance; others are only informative.
    • Cultural & Institutional Barriers: Requires changes in clinical culture, administrative support, and trained champions to lead adoption.

    6) The Path Forward:

    • Pre-emptive Testing: Future lies in obtaining genetic profiles before medications are needed, enabling lifelong personalised prescribing.
    • Fundamental Shift: Moves healthcare from population-based to individualised, from reactive to proactive, and from trial-and-error to precision medication.
    • Genomic Insight: Our genes guide our prescriptions-pharmacogenomics teaches us how to read this biological roadmap.
    [UPSC 2023] ‘Aerial metagenomics’ best refers to which one of the following situations?

    Options: (a) Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go*

    (b) Understanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat

    (c) Using air-borne devices to collect blood samples from moving animals

    (d) Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies

  • NSA hosts 7th meeting of Colombo Security Conclave in Delhi

    Why In The News?

    At the 7th NSA-level Colombo Security Conclave meeting, member states prioritised cooperation on five pillars: maritime security, counterterrorism and radicalisation, trafficking and transnational crime, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, aiming to strengthen regional security coordination.

    About Colombo Security Conclave (CSC):

    • Regional Grouping: A security platform comprising India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius; Seychelles is an observer.
    • Objective: To enhance regional security and address transnational threats of common concern.
    • Origin: Began in 2011 as the Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation between India, Maldives, Sri Lanka.
    • Hiatus: Became inactive after 2014 due to India-Maldives tensions.
    • Revival: Rebranded as CSC in 2020; Mauritius and later Bangladesh joined.
    • Participation: Involves NSAs and Deputy NSAs of member states.
    • Key Areas of Cooperation:
      • Maritime safety and security
      • Counterterrorism and radicalisation
      • Combating trafficking and transnational organised crime
      • Cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure
      • Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
    [UPSC 2017] Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

    1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.

    2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct ? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only* (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

  • [21st November 2025] The Hindu Op-ED: India’s fisheries and aquaculture, its promising course

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2015] Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India.

    Linkage: Same as livestock rearing, fisheries are a key allied sector driving rural non-farm jobs, and are in news due to FAO support and Blue Economy reforms. Hence the topic is highly important for both GS I and GS III. 

    Mentor’s Comment

    India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector is undergoing structural transformation under the Blue Revolution, backed by FAO support and national reforms. This article decodes the sector’s growth drivers, emerging challenges, policy transitions, and global relevance. It is formatted to suit UPSC Mains expectations with subheadings, value additions, PYQs, and micro-themes for GS papers.

    Introduction

    India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector has become one of the fastest-growing food-producing systems, contributing significantly to livelihoods, nutrition, exports, and rural economic diversification. Despite record production levels, challenges such as resource overuse, environmental degradation, weak traceability, and constrained market access continue to limit its full potential. FAO’s renewed commitment during World Fisheries Day 2025 highlights the sector’s strategic importance in India’s transition toward sustainable and climate-resilient aquatic food systems.

    Why in the News?

    The FAO issued a renewed commitment to India’s Blue Revolution on World Fisheries Day (21 November 2025), highlighting India’s rapid rise as a global fisheries powerhouse. India recorded 93.2 million tonnes of capture fisheries and a historic 130.9 million tonnes in aquaculture output, making it the world’s second-largest aquaculture producer. This comes at a time when the sector faces overfishing, habitat degradation, climate stress, and traceability gaps, creating a striking contrast between high growth and mounting ecological pressures. New initiatives, Kisan Credit Card inclusion, Matsya Sampada, Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages, and private-sector-led compliance, mark a major shift toward science-based, sustainability-linked governance in fisheries.

    India’s Rapid Growth Trajectory

    1. Record production: India produced 93.2 million tonnes (capture) and 130.9 million tonnes (aquaculture), valued at $313 billion.
    2. Rising sectoral significance: Livestock and aquaculture contribute 23 million tonnes of aquatic animals, creating major employment.
    3. Expansion of inland aquaculture: Inland fish farming rose from 12.4 million tonnes (2008) to 17.54 million tonnes (2022).
    4. Private sector innovation: Investments in hatcheries, exports, feed, digital compliance, and environmental standards have strengthened value chains.

    What Drives Current Reforms?

    1. Blue Revolution initiatives: Schemes like PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) expand climate-resilient freshwater and brackish aquaculture.
    2. Governance improvements: New norms integrate digital licensing, KCC inclusion, and seafood traceability.
    3. Market efficiencies: The government introduced measures for safety, credit, and supply chain upgrades.
    4. Coastal resilience: Projects on Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages strengthen vulnerable fishing communities.

    How is FAO Supporting India’s Transition?

    1. Decades-long collaboration: FAO supports small-scale fisheries, sustainability frameworks, and policy strengthening.
    2. BOBP support: FAO’s Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP) supports governance in small-scale fisheries.
    3. BOBLME and ecosystem-based management: Helps India adopt science-backed conservation, monitoring, and climate adaptation.
    4. Harbour modernisation: Technical Cooperation Programme improves fishing harbours like Vanakbara and Nawabandar.

    What Are the Emerging Challenges?

    1. Overfishing and resource stress: Unsustainable catch levels strain marine ecosystems.
    2. Environmental degradation: Water pollution, habitat decline, and climate-induced variability weaken output.
    3. Traceability deficits: Weak monitoring affects export markets and compliance.
    4. Small-scale fishers’ constraints: Limited technologies, market reach, and safety nets restrict livelihoods.

    How Does Sustainability Shape India’s Future Path?

    1. Science-based stock assessment: Enables evidence-driven management.
    2. Co-managed monitoring: Joint monitoring through MCS tools improves compliance.
    3. Digital and climate-ready practices: Enhance safety, transparency, and resilience.
    4. Ecosystem-based aquaculture: Embedded in guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture.

    Conclusion

    India’s fisheries and aquaculture stand at a decisive inflexion point, high growth backed by technology and institutional reforms but constrained by ecological and market vulnerabilities. The combined push from FAO, national missions like PMMSY, climate-resilient strategies, and private-sector compliance systems can position India as a global leader in sustainable aquatic food systems.

  • Search on for five declared foreigners by Assam tribunal

    Why In The News?

    Police in Assam’s Sonitpur district are searching for five people declared non-citizens by a Foreigners’ Tribunal after they repeatedly failed to appear for hearings, prompting the tribunal to issue an ex-parte order.

    1) About Foreigners Tribunal (FT):

    • Legal Basis: Quasi-judicial bodies established under the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, issued under Section 3 of the Foreigners Act, 1946.
    • Purpose: Allows State authorities to refer cases of individuals suspected to be foreigners for determination.
    • Composition: Headed by members drawn from judges, advocates, or civil servants with judicial experience.
    • Powers: Possesses civil court powers-summoning individuals, examining on oath, and requiring document production.

    2) Are Foreigners Tribunals Only for Assam?

    • Nationwide Applicability: The 1964 Order applies across all of India, but FTs currently operate only in Assam.
    • Other States: Suspected illegal immigrants are dealt with by local courts under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
    • 2019 Amendment: Earlier only the Centre could set up FTs; after the amendment, states also have the power to establish them.

    3) Foreigners Tribunal – Functioning:

    • Notice Period: Tribunal must issue a notice to the suspected foreigner within 10 days of receiving a reference.
    • Response Time: The individual gets 10 days to reply, and another 10 days to submit supporting evidence.
    • Time for Disposal: Tribunal must dispose of cases within 60 days.
    • Outcome: If unable to prove citizenship, the person may be sent to a detention centre (transit camp) for future deportation.

    4) Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025:

    • Replaces: Supersedes the Foreigners (Tribunal) Order, 1964 under the new Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
    • New Powers:
      • FTs can now issue arrest warrants and detain individuals unable to prove citizenship-previously done through executive orders.
      • Warrants may be issued if a suspect fails to appear.
    • Expanded Judicial Authority: FTs now possess powers of:
      • A civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
      • A judicial magistrate (First Class) under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
    • Key Powers Include:
      • Summoning and enforcing attendance.
      • Examining persons on oath.
      • Requiring discovery and production of documents.
      • Issuing commissions for witness examination.
      • Directing personal appearance.
      • Issuing arrest warrants for non-appearance.
    Ex-Parte Order:

    An ex parte decree is issued when a defendant fails to appear despite receiving summons, allowing the court to hear only the plaintiff’s case and pass a decision in the defendant’s absence.

     

    [UPSC 2009] Consider the following statements :

    1. Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) was set up during the Prime Ministership of Lal Bahadur Shastri.

    2. The Members for CAT are drawn from both judicial and administrative streams.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only* (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

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